An end-of-life client receiving home hospice care states he no longer wants to eat. The nurse should

  • speak with the health care provider about inserting a feeding tube.
  • encourage the client to eat small, nutritious meals.
  • accept the client’s decision and work to make the client comfortable.
  • ask the client’s family to bring the client’s favorite foods.
Number 3 is correct.
Clients near the end of life may lose interest in eating, and the nurse should respect the client’s desire to make decisions about his treatment and care. In these cases, feeding tubes should be avoided, as should encouraging the client to eat any meals.